At Computex 2010, AMD has demonstrated the Fusion Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) that combine CPU, GPU, video processing and other capabilities in a single die.
The APUs support DirectX 11 gaming and HD video content.
Notebook Platforms
AMD Demonstrates Fusion APUs
Intel Showcases New Atom-Based Platforms for Netbooks, Tablets
Intel has showcased “the world’s thinnest netbook” at the ongoing Computex Show in Taipei.
Based on the new “Canoe Lake” platform, the 14mm thin netbook concept utilizes a dual-core mobile Atom CPU and runs cooler than current netbooks, according to Intel.
AMD 2010 Mainstream and Ultrathin Notebook Platforms Released
AMD has officially released the 2010 Mainstream and Ultrathin notebook platforms.
The Mainstream Platform features the new standard-voltage CPUs including quad-, triple-, and dual-core Phenom II chips, dual-core Athons II and Turions II, and a single-core V Series model. On the other side, the Ultrathin Platform for small and thin-and-light laptops uses dual-core Turion II Neo and Athlon II Neo, as well as single-core Athon II Neo and V Series CPUs, all with lower voltages when compared to the mainstream counterparts.
Intel Announces “Moorestown” Atom Platform for Tablets, Smartphones
Intel has officially announced the availability of the new Intel Atom-based platform, codenamed “Moorestown”, designed for use in in tablets, smartphones and other handheld devices.
The platform includes the Intel Atom Z600 Series processors, the the MP20 Platform Controller Hub (PCH), and a dedicated Mixed Signal IC (MSIC).
VIA Announces VX900 Chip Supporting HD Video
VIA Technologies has announced the new VIA VX900 media system processor (MSP), a chip that will be included in VIA Nano 3000 CPU-based laptops and netbooks in order to support playback of online HD videos.
The VIA VX900 includes ChromotionHD 2.0 video engine providing hardware acceleration of the H.264 codec used in today’s online HD video streaming services. According to the chip maker, the VX900 “brings crisp, smooth 1080p HD video content to life without hogging key system resources or resorting to an additional third party decoder”.
NVIDIA Officially Announces ION 2 Netbook Platform
NVIDIA today officially unveiled the second generation ION platform for Intel Atom-based netbooks and small form factor desktops.
The NVIDIA ION 2 chipset provides netbooks with “10 times the graphics performance of standard netbooks” and “up to 10 hours of battery life”.
DigiTimes: Intel Huron River Laptop Platform Coming in 1Q 2011
Intel plans to announce its next generation laptop platform, named “Huron River”, in the first quarter of 2011, according to Digitimes’ sources from motherboard and notebook makers.
The “Huron River” platform reportedly includes “Sandy Bridge” processors, a 6-series chipset “Cougar Point”, and wireless modules codenamed “Rainbow Peak” and “Taylor Peak”.
Intel Announces 2010 Core vPro for Business Laptops
Intel has announced the 2010 Intel Core vPro technology for business-class laptop and desktop PCs.
Desinged to “keep downtime and desk-side visits to a minimum,” the new vPro version features improved remote manageability, security, and anti-theft functionalities. It comes with the Core i5 and i7 processors with TurboBoost and Hyper-Threading technologies, the Intel QM57 and QS57 chipsets for notebooks, and new Centrino WiFi and WiMAX wireless adapters.
Intel Officially Launches Core i3, i5, i7 “Arrandale” Laptop CPUs
Intel today officially launched the 2010 Intel Core processor family, including the laptop-use Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7, formerly known as “Arrandale”.
The new chips are the first in the mainstream PC market to feature the main processor, integrated graphics, and the memory controller on a single CPU package, and are produced using the new 32-nanometer technology. These innovations are made to increase laptops’ computing performance while decreasing power consumption and heat.
First Intel Atom N450 Reviews Surface
Several websites have reviewed an Asus Eee PC netbook with Intel’s recently released Atom N450 Pine Trail M platform.
The conclusion is that the new platform with the Intel Atom N450 main processor, the GMA 3150 graphics, and the memory controller on a single die delivers a better power efficiency and has minor performance benchmark differences when compared to the previous Atom netbooks with the N270/N280 CPUs and the GMA 950 graphics.
Intel Pine Trail M Netbook Platform Officially Launched
Intel Corporation officially released today the next generation Atom CPU-based netbook platform, formerly known as “Pine Trail M”.
Along with the new Intel Atom N450 processor that integrates the CPU, the memory controller, and the graphics chip on a single piece of silicon, the platform features a new low-power Intel NM10 Express Chipset. Therefore, the Pine Trail M consists of two chips, CPU and chipset, instead of three (CPU, chipset, and I/O controller hub) in the previous “Diamondville” Atom N270/N280 generation.
Intel Core i7-720QM, i7-820QM, i7-920XM CPUs; Calpella Platform Launched
Intel Corporation officially introduced today the first laptop-use Intel Core i7 processors, based on the company’s latest Nehalem microarchitecture.
The three Core i7 mobile quad-core 45nm CPUs are the Core i7-720QM and the i7-820QM for mainstream notebooks, and the Intel Core i7 Extreme i7-920XM for high-performance gaming laptops.
VIA SufrBoard NetNote Edition Platform Announced
VIA Technologies has announced the Surfboard NetNote Edition mini-laptop platform with support for 1080p HD video.
The VIA Surfboard NetNote ultraportables have 10.2″ – 12.1″ displays with resolutions up to 1366 x 768 pixels, while external display resolutions go up to 1920 x 1440 pixels. The NetNotes are based on VIA C7-M and Nano CPUs and VX855 chipset with VIA Chrome9 HCM integrated graphics, supporting H.264, MPEG2, MPEG-4, WMV9, and VC1 video decoding acceleration.
Second Generation AMD Ultrathin Platform Launched
AMD today launched Congo, its second generation AMD platform for small, light and affordable notebooks.
The Second Generation AMD Ultrathin Platform, a successor of the Yukon, includes dual core AMD CPUs – the Athlon Neo X2 L325 at 1.5GHz and the Turion Neo X2 L625 at 1.6GHz, both with 1MB of L2 cache and a power consumption of 18W. The platform also features the 15W single core 1.6GHz Athlon Neo MV-40 and Sempron 210U at 1.5GHz, with 512KB and 256KB of L2 cache respectively.
AMD’s 2009 Mainstream Notebook Platform Announced
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. has announced the 2009 AMD Mainstream Notebook Platform “Tigris”, featuring new processors, a new integrated graphics chip, and improved multimedia technologies.
The platform includes next-gen AMD Turion II Ultra, Turion II, and Athlon II dual core mobile processors, with clock speeds ranging from 2GHz to 2.6GHz, BUS speed of 3,200MHz or 3,600MHz, and 1MB or 2MB of L2 cache, depending on model. The chips are based on 45nm production technology, replacing older 65nm parts. The new Athlons and Turions have a power consumption of 35W, and support for 64-bit computing and virtualization.
